Commedia characters, originating from the Italian theatrical tradition, embody specific archetypes that represent various social classes and human traits. They engage in exaggerated physical comedy, improvisation, and witty dialogue, often highlighting themes of love, deception, and social satire. Each character has distinct traits—such as the clever servant, the pompous master, or the romantic heroine—that drive the plot and create humorous situations. Their interactions often reveal the absurdities of human behavior and societal norms.
zani
Arlechino & Colombina
Commedia dell'arte flourished during the Renaissance (1450s-1600s) in Italy. The characters were known as stock characters and depicted a set of stock scenarios.
a stock character in a play is the typical character in a play
Commedia dell'Arte is a form of Italian theatre which is characterized by improvised dialogue by a collection of fun stock characters. It is also known as a "comedy of craft".
The innamorati The harlequin The dottore The zanni The pantalone
The style used in Commedia Dell'Arte is still used in sit-coms today and also in plays such as 'Waiting For Godot'; this play uses the same kind of slap-stick comedy, where the characters are not always 'being funny', however they are funny because they don't realise they are being funny. This is very similar to some of the characters in Commedia
If it weren't for commedia, the characters wouldn't be quite so dramatic on stage. For example, your drama teacher might be telling you to "not make so many large movements" instead of, "BIGGER, BIGGER, BIGGER!!!" This is because the movements and costumes in commedia are so dramatic and exaggerated, or over-the-top if you're not into big words. Good luck!
the big bang theory
Yes, the characters in commedia dell'arte share similarities with those in American comedy, particularly in their archetypal nature. Both feature exaggerated personalities and distinct traits that drive humor, such as the clever servant or the foolish rich man. Additionally, the use of stock characters in commedia dell'arte mirrors the recognizable roles in American sitcoms and comedic films, allowing audiences to quickly understand the dynamics at play. However, the cultural contexts and comedic styles differ, with commedia dell'arte emphasizing physical comedy and improvisation rooted in Italian traditions.
Actors wear masks to show different emotions and so male actors are able to play characters who are women.
Stock characters are familiar to everyone, so everyone knows what they're supposed to be doing and can enjoy watching them in their roles.